Inspired new songs to take us back to Old Northcote

In a unique collaboration, eight renowned songwriters will be working together with Darebin libraries to write eight new songs inspired by historical images from the Darebin Heritage Archive.

The specially commissioned songs will be performed live by each songwriter, all with strong connections to the area, in a one-night show titled I Feel Like Going Back as part of the Darebin Music Feast 2015.

Critically acclaimed songwriter and long-time Northcote resident, Mick Thomas (Weddings Parties Anything), is leading the way with two new songs. Also joining the stage will be ARIA nominee Charles Jenkins (Mad Turks from Istanbul/Ice-cream Hands), who is known for his penchant for writing about Melbourne.

“I was always very jealous of the fact you could sing your way across America, from Georgia to Galvaston. So for the last 15 years I’ve tried to do the same I’ve written records entirely based on place names and peoples names. I’ve written about Mildura, I’ve written about the Nullarbor, I’ve written about Dennis the train station,” Charles said.

“But to have the focus on the neck of woods where I live, that’s very enticing.”

Completing the line-up will be Cat Canteri and Justin Bernasconi (The Stillsons), alt-country songstress Jemma Rowlands (Jemma and The Clifton Hillbillies), local songwriter Sean McMahon (Sean McMahon and the Moonmen), Melbourne Americana favourite Brooke Russell (Brooke Russell and the Mean Reds) and Rich Davies (The Devils Union/King Wolf), with The Clifton Hillbillies as the backing band.

I Feel Like Going Back, supported by funding from the Darebin Community Support Program, will illuminate the intriguing people, places and events of Darebin’s past and exhibit evocative images from what is currently one of Melbourne’s most creative municipalities.

All That’s Past Collective is a group of local musicians and songwriters exploring the synthesis of visual history, storytelling and songwriting, headed by alt-country singer songwriter, Ayleen O’Hanlon alongside Brooke Russell, Nick Reid, Tito Ambyo, David Gillespie and James Arneman.